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Alaska's Black History: JP Jones

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Alaska's Black History: JP Jones


J. P. Jones was a Fairbanks activist and businessman. The labor union brought him to Fairbanks in 1951, and he worked construction projects throughout the Fairbanks area, including the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Eielson Air Force Base. He married Geneva Talton in 1956. In the 1960s and 70s, he ventured into entrepreneurship, starting a convenience store, rental properties, the Jones Ice Factory, and a motel. He sometimes experienced racial injustice. He was determined to help others avoid these obstacles so became involved in the Greater Fairbanks Branch of the N.A.A.C.P.

In a recent presentation on Fairbanks Black History, professor Dorothy Jones, who is not related, remembered Jones as a formidable personality.

There was an interview done with J.P.’s daughter Gigi about her dad,  so Gigi said the P in his name stood for Persistent  Persevered and Pro-willed.  And Gigi remembers that her father was very outspoken to a point of intimidation. I agree.  Either you like him. Or you did not,  for his firm belief that no matter who you are, everyone should be treated fairly and have opportunities.”

He received many awards and honors during his presidency of the N.A.A.C.P. However, he was most proud to learn of the dedication and the re-naming of the Southside Community Center to the J.P. Jones Community Development Center in Fairbanks, on October 26, 2002.

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Jones died less than a month later, at the age of 90.
“He was a good man, very strong in believing that everyone entitled, everyone is entitled to get what they deserve. People of color, women, whatever.

He had a strong voice. Maybe not always articulate,  but he commanded respect.  JP was a laborer, it was in the labor union and construction work. Brought him to Fairbanks in 19 fifty-one. In the late sixties and seventies, he ventured out on his own into entrepreneurship.  He worked on numerous construction projects throughout the Fairbanks area, including the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, also an Air force base, and after retiring from construction, he owned convenient, a convenience store, residential property, and Jones Ice Factory, which his daughter, Gigi, owned for a period of time In 19 sixty-eight.

 

J.P completed financial agreements to complete his hotel motel unit with thirty-six rooms, cocktail lounge, and coffee shop. Mr. Jones opened his motel and when completed, it cost $400,000.  His commitment and dedication to the cause of racial harmony led him to become involved in the NAACP  in the seventies and 80,  and his family overcame many obstacles including death threats, and a stick of dynamite. It was found under their doorsteps.  There were people that didn’t appreciate what he was trying to do for himself and for others.  When Mr. Jones had his own business, our own family, he made sure that his kids never were without.  The Community Center formerly called the Fairbanks Southside Center was renamed after J.P Jones.

Before he died  the day he must to be honored for NAACP involvement. Mr. Jones was born in March of 1912 in Houston, Texas, and he died at the age of 90.  J.P. Jones passed peacefully from this life at his home on November 2, 2002.  He was 90 years old.” 

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James P. Jones was born to William and Rosetta Jones on March 21, 1912 in Houston, Texas. He was the youngest of six children, three brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Jack Yates High School in Houston, Texas. As a young man, he had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed traveling. He made his way to Los Angeles, California, where he worked several jobs and found construction to be his career choice. It was in Los Angeles that he met the love of his life, Geneva Talton. His love of adventure and new construction opportunities in the last frontier brough him to Fairbanks , Alaska in 1951. Geneva soon followed and they were married on August 18, 1956. To this union, two children were born, Jerald William Jones and Genice Gradelle Jones.

 

“J.P., as he was known by all, worked for C&R Construction, P.K. Construction, and Laborers Local 942. He worked on numerous construction projects throughout the Fairbanks area to include the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Eielson AFB. After retiring from construction in the early 70’s, J.P. went into business for himself where he experienced obstacles and racial injustices. He was determined to help others avoid the obstacles he experienced and became involved in the N.A.A.C.P.

His commitment and dedication to the cause of racial harmony led him to hold the position of president of the local chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. for many years. Despite many threats of danger to himself and his family, J.P. persevered and was steadfast in his commitment to help others. J.P. was a civil rights activist and a strong community supporter, who was persistent in working towards the cause of ensuring racial and economic equality for all. J.P.’s name was synonymous with the organization and he was known as “Mr. N.A.A.C.P.”

 

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J.P. accepted Christ at an early age, and upon arrival in Fairbanks, he joined St. John Baptist Church. Although his attendance was rare in his later years, he was a strong believer in Christ and often attributed his longevity to following the scripture, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” – Exodus 20:12 He found great comfort and joy in television evangelism. You could walk into his store on any given day and find him reveling in the television ministries. (If he was not engaged in a quick nap.)

 

He was able to see many of the fruits of his labor, including the re-naming of the Center which highlights his many accomplishments.





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Dozens of vehicle accidents reported, Anchorage after-school activities canceled, as snowfall buries Southcentral Alaska

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Dozens of vehicle accidents reported, Anchorage after-school activities canceled, as snowfall buries Southcentral Alaska


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Up to a foot of snow has fallen in areas across Southcentral as of Tuesday, with more expected into Wednesday morning.

All sports and after-school activities — except high school basketball and hockey activities — were canceled Tuesday for the Anchorage School District. The decision was made to allow crews to clear school parking lots and manage traffic for snow removal, district officials said.

“These efforts are critical to ensuring schools can safely remain open [Wednesday],” ASD said in a statement.

The Anchorage Police Department’s accident count for the past two days shows there have been 55 car accidents since Monday, as of 9:45 a.m. Tuesday. In addition, there have been 86 vehicles in distress reported by the department.

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Snow measuring up to 17 inches deep in Anchorage, Alaska, on Jan. 6, 2026.(Alaska’s News Source)

The snowfall — which has brought up to 13 inches along areas of Turnagain Arm and 12 inches in Wasilla — is expected to continue Tuesday, according to latest forecast models. Numerous winter weather alerts are in effect, and inland areas of Southcentral could see winds up to 25 mph, with coastal areas potentially seeing winds over 45 mph.

Up to a foot or more of snow has fallen across Southcentral Alaska, with more snow expected...
Up to a foot or more of snow has fallen across Southcentral Alaska, with more snow expected through the day.(Alaska’s News Source)

Some areas of Southcentral could see more than 20 inches of snowfall by Wednesday, with the Anchorage and Eagle River Hillsides, as well as the foothills of the Talkeetna Mountain, among the areas seeing the most snowfall.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com



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Yundt Served: Formal Charges Submitted to Alaska Republican Party, Asks for Party Sanction and Censure of Senator Rob Yundt

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Yundt Served: Formal Charges Submitted to Alaska Republican Party, Asks for Party Sanction and Censure of Senator Rob Yundt


Sen. Rob Yundt

On January 3, 2026, Districts 27 and 28 of the Alaska Republican Party received formal charges against Senator Rob Yundt pursuant to Article VII of the Alaska Republican Party Rules.

According to the Alaska Republican Party Rules: “Any candidate or elected official may be sanctioned or censured for any of the following
reasons:
(a) Failure to follow the Party Platform.
(b) Engagement in any activities prohibited by or contrary to these rules or RNC Rules.
(c) Failure to carry out or perform the duties of their office.
(d) Engaging in prohibited discrimination.
(e) Forming a majority caucus in which non-Republicans are at least 1/3 or more of the
coalition.
(f) Engaging in other activities that may be reasonably assessed as bringing dishonor to
the ARP, such as commission of a serious crime.”

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Party Rules require the signatures of at least 3 registered Republican constituents for official charges to be filed. The formal charges were signed by registered Republican voters and District N constitutions Jerad McClure, Thomas W. Oels, Janice M. Norman, and Manda Gershon.

Yundt is charged with “failure to adhere and uphold the Alaska Republican Party Platform” and “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles and priorities of the Alaska Republican Party Rules.” The constituents request: “Senator Rob Yundt be provided proper notice of the charges and a full and fair opportunity to respond; and that, upon a finding by the required two-thirds (2/3) vote of the District Committees that the charges are valid, the Committees impose the maximum sanctions authorized under Article VII.”

If the Party finds Yundt guilty of the charges, Yundt may be disciplined with formal censure by the Alaska Republican Party, declaration of ineligibility for Party endorsement, withdrawal of political support, prohibition from participating in certain Party activities, and official and public declaration that Yundt’s conduct and voting record contradict the Party’s values and priorities.

Reasons for the charges are based on Yundt’s active support of House Bill 57, Senate Bill 113, and Senate Bill 92. Constituents who filed the charges argue that HB 57 opposes the Alaska Republican Party Platform by “expanding government surveillance and dramatically increasing education spending;” that SB 113 opposes the Party’s Platform by “impos[ing] new tax burdens on Alaskan consumers and small businesses;” and that SB 92 opposes the Party by “proposing a targeted 9.2% tax on major private-sector energy producer supplying natural gas to Southcentral Alaska.” Although the filed charges state that SB 92 proposes a 9.2% tax, the bill actually proposes a 9.4% tax on income from oil and gas production and transportation.

Many Alaskan conservatives have expressed frustration with Senator Yundt’s legislative decisions. Some, like Marcy Sowers, consider Yundt more like “a tax-loving social justice warrior” than a conservative.

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Pilot of Alaska flight that lost door plug over Portland sues Boeing, claims company blamed him

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Pilot of Alaska flight that lost door plug over Portland sues Boeing, claims company blamed him


The Alaska Airlines captain who piloted the Boeing 737 Max that lost a door plug over Portland two years ago is suing the plane’s manufacturer, alleging that the company has tried to shift blame to him to shield its own negligence.

The $10 million suit — filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Tuesday on behalf of captain Brandon Fisher — stems from the dramatic Jan. 5, 2024 mid-air depressurization of Flight 1282, when a door plug in the 26th row flew off six minutes after take off, creating a 2-by-4-foot hole in the plane that forced Fisher and co-pilot Emily Wiprud to perform an emergency landing back at PDX.

None of the 171 passengers or six crew members on board was seriously injured, but some aviation medical experts said that the consequences could have been “catastrophic” had the incident happened at a higher altitude.

Leani Benitez-Cardona, NTSB aerospace engineer, and Matthew Fox, NTSB chief technical advisor for materials, unpacking the door plug Sunday from Alaska Airlines flight 1282, a Boeing 737-9 MAX, in the materials laboratory at NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C.NTSB

Fisher’s lawsuit is the latest in a series filed against Boeing, including dozens from Flight 1282 passengers. It also names Spirit AeroSystems, a subcontractor that worked on the plane.

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The lawsuit blames the incident on quality control issues with the door plug. It argues that Boeing caught five misinstalled rivets in the panel, and that Spirit employees painted over the rivets instead of reinstalling them correctly. Boeing inspectors caught the discrepancy again, the complaint alleges, but when employees finally reopened the panel to fix the rivets, they didn’t reattach four bolts that secured the door panel.

The complaint’s allegations that Boeing employees failed to secure the bolts is in line with a National Transportation Safety Board investigation that came to the conclusion that the bolts hadn’t been replaced.



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